A few of my POTA Activator non-radio favorite things

Gear
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What are your non-radio activator favorite things?

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I had been looking at the Helinox table and chair, but has to be large enough (table) for FT-710, tablet for logging etc. and 12v 12Ah supply, maybe a pad to write on etc. So I am looking at the large 29” table. It seems strong enough to hold everything.

I wonder about their chairs; they look more laid back, but I would have to be sitting straight up with a table in front of me. Wonder if when sitting on them, they will be less laid back as they look in pictures?

I am also planning to do POTA in other cities, especially the Toronto area, where I have been visiting for 20+ years to escape the Phoenix summer heat. I have a very large hard-sided luggage that I check, and the Table, which should easily fit in with an extra foot or so, based on its collapsed measurements. Haven’t checked the chairs yet.

I prefer to find a picnic table at a park, but I am thinking of bringing a table/chair so I don’t have to find an empty one. But not sure if it’s worth it. I might also be able to work from a parking lot. I will get a tripod mount. I am not going to dig holes in the ground with spikes, nor use a tree to support a wire, which is frowned on in some parks.

Likewise, trying to figure out the best way to take FT-710 and will have a 17’ REZ antenna system, so was almost thinking of a huge gun case. But the 17’ vertical will fit in my large luggage. My trips usually last a week, so I need to pack regular stuff also. SO trying to just have 1 large checked bag plus i have a another that fits in overhead for laptop stuff. I even pack a full-size keyboard since I used to. I can not type on my smartphone without a 50% error rate, but I have a tablet that I would use for POTA.

I know I have to put the batteries in overhead. All the airlines I will use (Porter, American and maybe Air Canada - but prefer Porter) allow 2 of my 144 WH (2x 12v/12 AH. For a few hours, 1 might be enough, or I could cut the 100-watt FT-710 down to maybe 75 watts to take less juice.

I have never done PORA before or used any portable, so I have been doing lots of research.

Dave in Phoenix, WØJKT “Just Killing Time” since 1964

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The Helinox Chair Zero Highback I have does have you seated in a pretty reclined posture. When I use it, I either have the radio on a kneeboard on my right leg, or I have the Table One set just to the right of the chair and the radio and key on the table, with the key where my hand naturally falls off to my right (I key right handed).

I know a lot of folks activate at 100W and I certainly understand the impulse to just crank the power up. But my experience is that for POTA activations you can easily operate 3-7dB down and still be successful. The difference in QSO rate between 50W and 100W is negligible. Remember, the hunters will be hunting you; effectively, you are the DX they are chasing. All you need is for your signal to be heard by enough hunters; you don’t have to reach the entire planet.

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I’m a fan of Matador mats. They are a super thin but tough nylon tarp that come in several sizes. I always have a small one in my pack, the Pocket Blanket Mini (image from their ad):

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image1466×1416 234 KB

If it’s going to be slushy out I’ll also carry the ‘regular’ size. Here it is doubled up for an activation this past week:

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IMG_21693024×4032 3.05 MB

and with some gear for size:

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IMG_35724032×3024 4.27 MB

I will admit that I had to sit on frozen ground for an hour to get to 22 contacts on this activation and couldn’t feel my butt when I got up!

Here’s a link on REI: https://www.rei.com/product/232585/matador-pocket-blanket

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I made 134 contacts running my Xeigu G90 during a single activation, running it at its full 20 watt power with an MFJ Big stick and coil. Would a 100 watts be nice? Sure, just like going from 100hp to 500hp would be cool. But, to put it in perspective as an adventure rider: I have a BMW F800GS with a dog of an engine: the rotax being 75hp. Yet, it has done over 55,000 miles (minus 8,900 of it not being me), with many of dirt roads under-tread.

The G90 is incredibly versatile with the trade off, that still manages to go above and beyond. I might submit a broader review (one of many) of the G90 being the a great work—pony.

As for @W1GRD pocket blanket. I may have to grab since I left my woobie back in TN. Seems that it can pack smaller, though I’m certain the woobie maybe warmer if I need a quick blanket around me.

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Yeah, those Matadors put zero insulation between you and the ground.

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